Road-sweeping machine.



J. 'I'. WHITTOME.

ROAD SWEEPING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 4. 1911.

Patented Oct. 29, 1912.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Joan anexas or 'ravls'rocin nomma.

Bonn-swanrmo I Speomoation et Letten Patent.

Application tiled April 4, 1911. Serial Io. $18,701.

Patented Oct. 29, 1912,

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JoHN THOMAS WHIT- .'10ME, a subject of the Kingdom of Great Britain, residing at Parkwood Road, Tav-` or pertaining toico-mbined street sweepers` vand collectors, and ithas forits pur ose primarily to provide an Ia paratus w ich while being particularly e cient and satis: factory in operation is at the same time very simple in construction.

According to the invention the brush 1s larranged. v-in front of the container and the means of communication with said container are ositloned above the upper end front portions of the brush so that the mud, dust,

and the like are eiectually discharged into the container by the action of centrifugal force.

In' order that this invention may be clearly understood and more readily carried into practice, reference may be had to the appended three sheets of drawlngs, upon which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine according to the invention, having one rear wheel'of the running gear omitted. Fig. 2

, is a sectional elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1. f

In the suitable shape and capacity is provided with running gear to enable the sweeper to be drawn or ropelled by animal traction, or

may be apted for mechanical propulsion.

The revolving brush 1 may receive motion from a suitable source such as the road wheel shaft 8, and a chain 9 running over andlmounted `respectively on the revolving brush axle 7 and upon the said pinion or its connecting the said sprockets. Y

Arrangements may be made whereby'the two spur wheels are capable of disconnection and also for elevating the brush, and to this end a lever 10 or pedals are mounted on drawings, a receptacle or cart of the top 11 of the container 12, at auch a position as is convenient for the driver, a seat 13 tixedto the top of the receptaclebeing incorporated for his accommodation. A quad- 'rant 14 having notches 15 may be secured to the side of the container to retain in conjunction with a detent andA release -lever.16 the brush and the position.Y

Coupling means for connecting the pedalsor levers with the parts to be elevated or deglressed may consist of a wire rope or ca e 17 passing over curved guide pulleys 18 which' are mounted on suitable pivots, a pivot connection 19 allowing the Awire rope or cable to adjust itself to the angularity of the lever 10. The brush 1 is partially suspended by a spring 20 hung from a bracket 21, so as to allow t e brush 1'to have an upand-down movement, in order thatit may adapt itself to-the variations in the contour of the-roadsurface. For the purpose of maintaining the two sprocket w eels at an unvar lng relative distance apart, the brush shaft 1s mounted in the ends of arms 22 hav-l ing their other ends pivoted to the sides of receptacle 12 near the axis of the sprocket 6. The brush axle is connected to plate 29 by rods 23 and the arms 22 to the plate. 25 by chains 24 toalways keep the plates which direct the mud or the like into the .interior of the cart or receptacle, at the correct distance from the periphery yof the brush. The frondportion ofthe casing may com- Brise a ix wall or plate 28 to which is inged a curved plate 26, extending about the forwardperiphery of the brush. The guard 25 hinged to the curved plate 26, extends downwardly in advance of the brush, and toward the street surface, as will be seen by reference 'to 1 and 2. The other plate or drop boar limiting the size of the aperture in a rearward direction consists of a plate 29 hinged at its rear extremity 30 to the tank, and bein pivotally connected with the connecting r 23 aforedescribed.

To eii'ect the elevation or depression of lthe lower rear wheel 4 for throwing the spur wheels in and out of mesh, the arm 31 y supported at 31*L by a bracket which is in turn carried b the container. The free extremity 33 of t e arm 31 has attached to it one extremity of thel wire cable 17 or a rigid rod as the case may be and a strip or bar 32 may be attached to the container to sol uon which said pinion is'carried is pivota prevent lateral movement `of, the arm 31. Upon the lever l0 being operated in the direction indicated by the arrowin Fi 1, the arm 31 swings about its pivot 31a in a downward direction while a-reverse movement is imparted to the arm .22 thus effect.- ing disengagement of the gear wheel 4 from the driving gear Wheel 2 ,and at the same time lifting the brush 1 ott the road-way, the release lever and deteiit 16 locking the parts in the non-operant position. i

The receptacle yextends around the back 'of the brush and may be furnished with a door-34'conveniently at'the rear upper poi'- tion, to allow access to the interior of the receptacle. Suitable side or cover plates 35 may be provided to protect the mechanism andto impart a neat aspect tothel exterior of the apparatus.

InFigs. l and 2, 36 is one'of the back Wheels, 37 is the front wheel which is mounted* on la swivel, 38 is the frame riveted or bolted to the .side of the container and extending forwardly to the front wheel fork and 39 is a fixture for the shafts' by which the machine is drawn.

While I have herein shown and described one specific form of my invent-ion it will be understoodthat I do not Wish to be limited thereto'except for such limitations as the claims import.

' lVhat I- claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. 'A street sweeper comprising in combination, supporting wheels, ak rotary brush, a casing mounted on said wheels and having a j sweepings receiver in the rear of the brush and an opening for receiving the sweepiiigs l disposed above the upper and front portions i' of the brush, a flap hinged to the casing and i forming the rear wall of said opening, al guard hinged to the casing and extending I forming one wall portion of said opening, a

guard hinged to the casing adjacent the brush and street surface, and devices maintaining the guard and ap in predetermined relation with respect to the brush irrespective of the position of' adjustment of said brush, substantially as described.

3. A street sweeper comprising in combination, supporting wheels, a casing supported on said Wheels and having a sweepings receiver provided with an opening for receiving the sweepings, a brush for deli"ering .fto said opening, springs carried by the casing for yieldably supporting said brush, a

lap hinged to said casing and forming one wall portieri of said opening, a guard hinged lo said casing adjacent the brush and street surface. and devices maintaining the guard and fiap in predetermined relation with respect lo the brush irrespective to the position l of said brush, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses. JOHN THOMAS VHITTOME. fitnesses y ARTHUR JOSEPH FoRsHEw, CHARLES Bevis. 

